Settling in · Widnes
Landing in Widnes? Start here.
The first fortnight in Widnes, in order: the paperwork that has to happen, then the places that make it feel like somewhere you could stay.
Week one and two
The order to do things in
1
Ring your Sama contact when you land
Whoever placed you. Tell them you arrived and that you are all right.
2
Apply for your National Insurance number
You can start work before it arrives, but do not leave it: your tax will be wrong until you have it.
3
Open a bank account
Passport, visa or share code, and proof of address. A letter from your employer usually does it.
4
Get a UK SIM
A local number makes the bank and the GP straightforward.
5
Register with a GP
Free at the point of use. Do it in your first week.
6
Check your tax code with HMRC
Get on the right code early or you will be paying too much for months.
7
Save your share code
You will be asked to prove your right to work and rent more than once.
8
Find the nearest shop, place of worship and club
The part that decides whether you stay, and the part no handbook covers.
Official, and free
Official finders
Run by the State, so they stay current. Search each one for your own town.
Find a GPThe NHS list of GP surgeries, searchable by postcode.Apply for a National Insurance numberYou need one to be taxed correctly. Apply once you are in the UK.Find an NHS dentistHarder than the GP. Start early and ring around.Check your visa and BRP or eVisaView and prove your immigration status online.Find your local police stationEmergency is 999 or 112. Non-emergency is 101.Understand your tax codeCheck what HMRC thinks you earn, so you are not overtaxed for months.Driving on a foreign licenceHow long you may drive on it, and whether it can be exchanged.Renting: know the rulesYour rights as a tenant, deposit protection and what a landlord may and may not do.Citizens AdviceFree, independent help with anything at all.Public transportNational rail and bus times and tickets.
Near you
87 places in Widnes worth knowing in week one
From OpenStreetMap, the map that locals build, plus places our team knows. Every card has a map link. If one has closed or moved, WhatsApp us and it comes down.
Nothing nearby matches that yet. Try a shorter word.
Places of worship
Every faith near you, listed so people can find a community when they arrive. Sama Talent Group is not affiliated with any religion or religious organisation.
Churches
St. Lukes
Christian, Anglican
Pit Lane, Farnworth, Widnes, WA8 9HU
About 3 km away
United Shalom Pentecostal Church Liverpool
Christian. Hours: Fr 17:30-19:00; Su 09:00-16:30
207A Dragon Lane, L35 3QX
About 7 km away
Prescot Pentecostal Fellowship - Malayalam Worship (Prescot, Whiston, St Helens, Liverpool)
Christian. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00
Old Colliery Road, L35 3SX
About 7 km away
Catholic Church of Saint Luke the Evangelist
Christian
147 Shaw Lane, Knowsley, L35 5AT
About 8 km away
Bethany Church
Christian
301 Old Liverpool Road, Warrington, WA5 1DZ
About 8 km away
St James Parish Church
Christian, Anglican
St Helens Road, St Helens, L34 2QB
About 9 km away
St Michael's Huyton Parish Church
Christian, Anglican. Hours: Th 10:30-12:00; Su 10:00-12:30
Bluebell Lane, L36 7SA
About 9 km away
Peasley Cross United Reformed Church
Christian, United reformed
4 Beaufort Street, WA9 3BE
About 9 km away
Liverpool Valley Church & Community Centre
Christian, Salvation army
Mildenhall Road, Liverpool, L25 2SN
About 10 km away
Mosques and prayer rooms
Jummah Salah in Sanctuary
Muslim. Hours: Fr 13:00-14:00
Warrington Road, L35 5DR
About 7 km away
Buddhist temples and centres
Other places of worship
Iglesia ni Cristo
Iglesia ni Cristo, Liverpool
About 20 km away
St Laurence's School, St. Laurence Drive Birkenhead, England CH41 3JD
Worship services: Wed 7:00pm · Sun 11:00am
Iglesia ni Cristo, Manchester
About 30 km away
101 Edge Lane, Stretford, Manchester, M32 8PU
Worship services: Tue 7:00pm · Sat 8:00am (Tagalog) · Sat 11:00am · Sat 1:00pm (children)
Iglesia ni Cristo, Flintshire
About 31 km away
High Street Bagillt Flintshire, North Wales CH6 6HE
Worship services: Tue 6:15pm · Sat 12:00pm · Sat 3:00pm (children)
Addresses and worship service times from the Iglesia ni Cristo directory, checked October 2026. Times can change, so check the locale's own page before you go. directory.iglesianicristo.net
Shops from home
World In One Superstore
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Sa 09:30-18:00
39 Cross Lane, L35 3QQ
About 7 km away
Huyton News & Convenience
Newsagent. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-19:00
42 Derby Road, Knowsley, L36 9UJ
About 9 km away
Pak World Supermarket
Supermarket. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-20:30; Su 10:00-20:00
111 Bewsey Road, Warrington, WA5 0JT
About 9 km away
Everyday Vitals (African & Caribbean Foods)
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 10:00-19:00
15 Croppers Hill, WA10 3UF
About 10 km away
Go Local Extra (Miller Convenience)
Yes. Hours: Mo-Su 07:00-23:00
108 Parr Stocks Road, St Helens, WA9 1NZ
About 10 km away
Saints Halal Supermarket
Convenience. Hours: Mo-Su 09:00-21:30
49 Bridge Street, WA10 1NW
About 10 km away
Food and takeaways
Desii Indian Cuisine
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Fr-Sa 17:00-23:00; Su-Th 17:00-22:00
7-15 Alforde Street, Widnes, WA8 7TS
Silver Crown
Kebab, italian pizza. takeaway. Hours: Mo-Su 17:00-00:00
77 Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LG
About 2 km away
Tandoori Nights
Indian. restaurant
17-19 High Street, Runcorn, WA7 1AP
About 2 km away
Spice of India
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Sa 17:00-23:00; Su 15:00-23:00
Widnes Road, Cuerdley, Warrington, WA5 2XD
About 3 km away
Anmol
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Th 17:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-23:30; Su 15:00-22:30
62 Warrington Road, WA5 2JP
About 6 km away
Jade Garden
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: Th-Tu 16:30-22:30
8 Station Road, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 1RQ
About 7 km away
Spice Village Whiston
Indian. restaurant. Hours: Mo-Fr 17:00-22:00; Sa-Su 16:00-22:00
13 Greenes Road, L35 3RE
About 7 km away
New Summer Palace
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Tu-Su 16:15-22:00
308 Old Liverpool Road, Warrington, WA5 1DP
About 8 km away
Manchester Road Supper Bar
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: Tu-Su 16:30-21:30
110 Manchester Road, Prescot, L34 5UD
About 8 km away
Pong & Sky HK Cafe
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Fr-Tu 09:00-17:00
11 Junction Lane, St Helens, WA9 3JN
About 8 km away
The Chippy
Chinese, fish and chips. takeaway. Hours: We 16:30-20:00; Thu 16:30-20:15; Fri 16:30-20:20; Sa-Mo 4:30-20:00
89 Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EB
About 8 km away
Sing Ping Restaurant
Chinese. restaurant. Hours: Su-Mo, We-Th 16:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:30
75 Warrington Road, Prescot, L34 5QY
About 9 km away
Sports and clubs
Rugbytots St Helens
Sports centre. Hours: Sa 09:00-11:00
Elton Head Road, St Helens, WA9 5AU
About 7 km away
Prescot Gym and Soccer Centre (by Volair)
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 06:30-22:00; Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa-Su 08:30-16:30
Warrington Road, L35 5AD
About 8 km away
Family Martial Arts Prescot
Fitness centre. Hours: Mo-Su 06:00-22:00
20 Sinclair Way, L34 1QL
About 8 km away
Basketball court
Basketball. Pitch
West Park Rugby Football Club
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Th 19:00-21:00; Fr 19:00-23:30; Sa 13:00-23:30; Su 11:30-17:00
Prescot Road, St Helens, WA10 3AG
About 9 km away
Runcorn Linnets Football Club
Soccer. Sport club
Stockham Lane, Runcorn, WA7 6GJ
About 7 km away
Terry McElhinneys Martial Arts & Fitness Classes
Fitness centre. Hours: Tu, Th 19:30-21:00
Longview Lane, Huyton, L36 7UN
About 9 km away
David Lloyd Clubs
Tennis, swimming, running, badminton, yoga, soccer, basketball. Sports centre
Cromwell Avenue South, WA5 1HH
About 8 km away
St Helens Rugby Football Club
Sports centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-16:00
McManus Drive, WA9 3AL
About 9 km away
Fishing spots and tackle shops
Warrington Anglers Association
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits
52 Parker Street, Warrington, WA1 1LT
About 9 km away
The Reel Deal Tackle & Bait
Tackle shop, and the place to ask where to fish and about permits. Hours: Mo-Sa 10:00-18:00
13 Warrington Road, L34 5QX
About 9 km away
Driving schools
A1 Rider Training
Driving school. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-16:00
Springfield Road, St Helens, WA9 5PE
About 9 km away
Community and support groups
Mahamevnawa Meditation Centre
Community centre. Hours: Su,Tu-Sa,Mo 06:00-21:00
10 Coronation Drive, Widnes, WA8 8AY
About 3 km away
Sankey Bridges Community Centre
Community centre
339 Old Liverpool Road, Sankey Bridges, Warrington, WA5 1EB
About 8 km away
The Old School House Community Project
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00
St Johns Road, L36 0UX
About 8 km away
1982 (Huyton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets
Community centre. Hours: Tu, Th 19:00-21:30
The Park, L36 5SU
About 9 km away
Merseyside Youth Association - Our Place
Community centre
Longview Drive, Liverpool, L36 6EG
About 9 km away
Whitecross Community Centre
Community centre
Lexden Street, Bewsey, Warrington, WA5 1PT
About 9 km away
Warrington Youth Zone
Community centre
Dallam Lane, Warrington, WA2 7NG
About 10 km away
Contact Warrington
Community centre
30 Horsemarket Street, Warrington, WA1 1XL
About 10 km away
Bryer Road Community Centre
Community centre. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa-Su 09:00-23:30
Bryer Road, L35 5DW
About 8 km away
Barbers and hair specialists
Hot towel and traditional shaves
L1 Styles Barbershop (Traditional Barbers Prescot Town Centre)
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We 09:00-17:30; Th-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00
19 Eccleston Street, L34 5QA
About 9 km away
L1 Styles Barbershop (Traditional Barbers Huyton & Roby)
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Tu 09:00-17:30; We-Fr 09:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-17:00; Su 10:00-15:00
22 Cavendish Walk, L36 9YG
About 9 km away
Barbers and salons
Macadamia Hair Spa
Hairdresser
190 Lunts Heath Road, Widnes, WA8 5AZ
About 3 km away
Gully Barbers
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-We,Fr 09:00-18:00; Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 08:00-18:00
378C Liverpool Road, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 1RU
About 6 km away
Sculpt
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 09:30-18:00, We 09:00-17:00, Th 11:00-20:00, Fr 09:00-18:00, Sa 09:00-17:00
Unit 2, Santa Rosa Boulevard, Warrington, WA5 3AG
About 7 km away
Manik
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-18:00; Fr 09:00-20:00; Sa 09:00-17:00
Kingsway L34 5BN
About 8 km away
Self Love Salon
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu 10:00-20:00; We 10:00-18:00; Fr 09:30-19:00; Sa 08:30-16:30
5 Junction Lane, St Helens, WA9 3JN
About 8 km away
Brewsters Hairdressing & Barbers Shop
Hairdresser
Unit 10, Westbrook Centre, Warrington, WA5 8UG
About 9 km away
Beyond Barbershop
Hairdresser. Hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 09:00-15:30
35 Derby Road, L36 9UQ
About 9 km away
First Wet
Hairdresser. Hours: Tu-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-19:00; Sa 09:00-16:30
37 Blacklow Brow, L36 5XE
About 9 km away
Cinemas and libraries
Widnes Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo,We,Fr 10:00-17:00; Tu,Th 09:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-14:30
Victoria Square, Widnes, WA8 7QY
Penketh Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-We 10:00-13:00, 14:00-17:00; Th 10:00-13:00, 14:00-18:00; Sa 09:30-13:00
Honiton Way, WA5 2EY
About 6 km away
Whiston Hospital Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Th 09:00-17:00; Fr 09:00-16:45
Warrington Road, L35 5DR
About 7 km away
Huyton Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-17:00; Sa 10:00-13:00
Civic Way, L36 9DG
About 9 km away
Burtonwood Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
Chapel Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington, WA5 4PS
About 9 km away
Thatto Heath Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo-Tu, Th-Fr 10:00-17:00
Thatto Heath Road, St Helens, WA10 3QX
About 9 km away
St Helens Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi. Hours: Mo 10:00-19:00; Tu,Th,Fr 10:00-17:00; We,Sa 10:00-13:00
Chalon Way East, St Helens, WA10 1BX
About 10 km away
Runcorn Library
Library, free to join, warm, and with wifi
6 Church Street, Runcorn, WA7 1LR
About 2 km away
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. We do not make places up: if the map has it wrong, fix it on openstreetmap.org and it comes through at the next refresh.
Saving money
What locals use to spend less
The shops and sites people here use for cheap clothes, second-hand furniture, a car, and the weekly shop. We are not paid to list any of them.
Facebook Marketplace and GumtreeSecond-hand furniture, bikes, tools and cars, often for very little. Meet in public, and never pay before you see it.Freecycle and OlioThings people give away for free, and food from neighbours and shops that would otherwise go in the bin.Too Good To GoSurprise bags of food from cafes, bakeries and supermarkets at the end of the day, at a fraction of the price.PrimarkCheap everyday clothes, work basics and bedding.Aldi and LidlThe cheapest big supermarkets for the weekly shop.B&M and Home BargainsCleaning products, kitchen kit and household bits for less.Charity shopsClothes, coats and furniture, and the money goes to a good cause.MoneySavingExpertFree guides to cheaper phones, energy, bank accounts and sending money.
Getting around
Getting around from Widnes
TravelineBus, coach and train times for the whole of Great Britain.National RailTrain times, tickets and railcards.Transport for LondonThe Tube, buses and the Oyster and contactless fares.
Driving here on your licence
Once you live in Great Britain you can drive a car or motorcycle on your full, valid licence for 12 months. After that, a licence from a designated country can be exchanged for a GB licence; from other countries you apply for a provisional licence and pass the theory and practical tests. Lorries, minibuses and buses have stricter rules: check before you drive one.
Check your licence on GOV.UK Exchange a licence
Hiring a car
Each rental company sets its own rules on age, how long you have held your licence and which licences it accepts, and young drivers often pay more. Check those rules before you book, and bring your licence and passport to the desk.
Driving rules taken from the official pages linked above, checked October 2026. They change, so the official page is the one to rely on.
While you are here